In January 1999, Vince McMahon was the epitome of a heel fans were willing to pay to see get his ass kicked. At the Royal Rumble, he entered the 30-man match at No. 2, at the order of WWE commissioner Shawn Michaels, and stood face-to-face with his most hated rival, the rebellious "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. The Texas Rattlesnake beat the unholy out of McMahon, taking him through the stands and into the arena's concourse, where he suddenly found himself under attack by The Corporation. Beaten and left lying unconscious, clearly in need of medical attention, Austin was stretchered out of the arena and driven to a local hospital in an ambulance. In true Stone Cold fashion, however, he commandeered the vehicle and returned to the arena. He pummeled McMahon some more but could not help but become distracted by WWE champion The Rock, who made his way to ringside late in the contest. This allowed a McMahon barely able to stand to grab hold of Austin's leg and dump him over the top rope. The Chairman of the Board celebrated the victory as if he had worked hard to overcome his 29 opponents. It was that celebration that made it that much easier to despise the megalomaniacal villain.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
